How Do You Make Homemade Candles
From LoveToKnow Candles
If you enjoy candles and always seem to be buying new ones, you may have wondered, how do you make homemade candles? Making candles is a fun hobby, and the basics are easy to learn and master. Once you know how to create your own candles, you'll love playing with different colors, styles, scents, and techniques to make truly unique candles.
Candle Making Basics
Basic candle making can be broken down into four parts:
Candle Wax
The candle wax you choose can be soy, paraffin, or even gel wax. To make a candle, you'll be melting the wax in a double boiler before pouring it into your chosen container.
Color and Scent
Plain white candles are perfectly fine, but most people enjoy colored and scented candles. Candle dyes are used to add a punch of color, while fragrance or essential oils add lovely candle scents to the melted wax. Both of these additions are stirred into the melted wax while it is still warm enough to pour.
The Wick
Modern candle making has included many innovations, and one of the handiest additions has been the pre-tabbed wick. To set the wick, you simply add a bit of melted wax to the tab, center it in your container, and hold it upright while you pour the wax into the container. You can then hold the wick in place with special wick accessories, or simply use a clothespin and clip it to a pencil resting on the lid of the container.
Allowing the Wax to Set
Once you've melted, scented, colored, and poured, it becomes a waiting game before you can use your new homemade candle. It can be tough to be patient, but the candle must be completely cooled and set before use.
Making Your First Candle
The easiest way to answer the question, how do you make homemade candles, is to jump in and try it yourself. One of the simplest candle projects that you can try is a container candle, since you'll learn how to melt wax and set a wick, without having to bother with candle molds right away. Try these instructions for making a container candle for a suitable beginner's project.
How Do You Make Homemade Candles Resources
If you're looking for more instructions to make homemade candles, there are lots of informative and helpful resources online that will walk you through all of the steps. Here are some of the best:
- Candle Tech – Candle Tech is one of the best candle making websites you'll ever find. Navigating from the top menu bar, you'll find everything from very basic instructions for simple candles, to more advanced projects that are creative and fun.
- Candle Help – Candle Help is an excellent resource, packed full of information for candle makers. Projects are sorted by skill level, from Beginner to Advanced.
- Let's Make Candles – Let's Make Candles isn't as user-friendly as the above sites, but once you get a knack for making candles, you'll find lots of project ideas that are appropriate for beginners here.
Other Ways to Learn Candle Making
If you're not comfortable with trying candle making on your own just yet, there are a few other ways to learn the process.
- Head to the bookstore or library and pick up a few books about candle making. Try to look for books with lots of illustrations so you can envision the process as you read the steps.
- Sign up for a candle making class. Many communities offer these, and the best way to find them is to check with your local craft supply store.
- Pick up a candle making kit, and follow the included instructions. Kits can be a terrific way to learn basic candle skills, and all of the supplies you'll need are included.
Once you learn the basics, including candle making safety, you're free to experiment and play around with candle techniques and designs. Don't be afraid to try something new! Even if you make a mistake, the wax can always be melted again and made into a new candle.
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This page has been accessed 245 times. This page was last modified 18:15, 31 August 2009.
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